Highway/Solid Waste/Airport Committee

September 11, 2007 - 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

Present: Dan Tagliente, Chairman; Steve Dafoe, Vice Chairman; Merwin Armstrong, John Daniels, Tom Hartnett, John Steger and Newell Willcox

Others present: Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Sandy Price, Legislator, District 19; Danny Ross, Legislator, District 12; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Donald Chambers, Superintendent of Highways; Bob Buerkle, Deputy Superintendent of Highways; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard; and Glenn Reisweber, Lime Hollow Center for Environment & Culture

Mr. Tagliente called the meeting to order at 7:31 a.m.

Mr. Armstrong moved adoption of the minutes of the August 7, 2007 meeting; seconded by Mr. Willcox. All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

SUGGESTED LEGISLATIVE REVIEW:

**The following items have been noted as items for suggested Legislative Review by the Chairman of the Highway Committee. These items are also noted with ** and in bold print.

· Authorize Individual T-Hangar Lease Agreements

· Amend Budget/ Transfer Funds, Highway Department, Recycling Center

RESOLUTIONS:

AIRPORT

1. ** Authorize Individual T-Hangar Lease Agreements – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Buerkle explained that this resolution authorizes ten agreements for the ten new T-Hangars and expressed that the T-Hangars would be ready for occupancy in four to five weeks. Mr. Daniels expressed how good the T-Hangars look. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

HIGHWAY

2. Authorize Extension of State Snow/Ice Control Agreement – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Chambers explained that this contracts has been done for over thirty years. He explained this is to contract with New York State to plow 106 centerline miles of State Highway while in route to plow County Roads. He further discussed the savings involved and stated that last year approximately $590,000 in revenue was brought in. Mr. Willcox inquired about the price being based on a small amount of snow or a large amount of snow. Mr. Chambers explained that the price is based on time and materials and added that the County Highway Department keeps track of the time and materials. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

LANDFILL

3A. ** Authorize Agreement with NYSOGS GCP-19 Tire Shred Highway Department/Landfill – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Steger. Mr. Chambers explained to plans for Landfill Expansion next year. He added that by using tire shred in the project it would save the County a considerable amount of money. He added that DEC regulations allow them to use tire shred. Mr. Chambers also explained that the cost to Cortland County would be $1 and explained that the tire shred will be purchased from New York State Office of General Services, with approval of New York State DEC, specifically at the New York State Waste Tire Abatement site in the Town of West Monroe, Oswego County. Mr. Willcox inquired as to why the tires from Cortland County are not used. Mr. Tagliente and Mr. Chambers explained that the cost of the machine to shred the tire is approximately $500,000 and they added that the machinery requires high maintenance. They expressed that the potential savings for Cortland County is between $100,000 and $200,000. Mr. Willcox stated that he would like to clean up Cortland County before cleaning up another County. Mr. Tagliente inquired as to where tires from within the County go. Mr. Chambers explained that they are sent to the County Landfill and then from there they are sent to Seneca Meadows. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

RECYCLING

3 Amend Budget/Transfer Funds, Highway Department/Recycling – Mr. Armstrong moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Chambers explained that the revenue and the flow have increased at the Recycling Center. He explained that revue for the Recycling Center is over budget and that he is requesting to take funds from the revenue and transfer to professional services. He further explained that he would like to increase the hours to help with the increased flow. Mr. Chambers explained that he would send a change order to Mr. Schrader in regards to this. Mr. Willcox inquired if the J M Murray Center is in agreement with this. Mr. Chambers stated that they were and referred to a letter dated August 30, 2007 from Ernest Dodge, Director of Business, J M Murray Center, Inc. which he had provided a copy of to all Committee members. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:

Approval of Bestway to take excess unsuitable soil from T-Hangar Project at Cortland County Airport - Mr. Buerkle explained that he was seeking approval from the Highway Committee for Bestway to remove the excess unsuitable soil and larger rocks from the Cortland County Airport, T-Hangar Project. He added that this was previously discussed in this Committee and he did go out for bid and no bids were received. Mr. Willcox inquired as to how much soil is involved. Mr. Buerkle explained that it is about 1,000 yards and added that by allowing Bestway to remove the soil themselves, the County will not need to pay transportation fees. He added that he would ensure that the proper insurance certificates are on fill before they come on County property. Mr. Armstrong expressed that he objects to this because Bestway would be dumping this in an area that creates flooding problems in the City of Cortland. Committee Members discussed the flooding problems in the City of Cortland and the relationship between where Bestway will be dumping this soil. Mr. Tagliente inquired why it is not advertised as being free and also inquired if there was anyone in the area interested in screening this for topsoil. Mr. Chambers discussed the difficulties involved with advertising it for free and asked how to decide who gets what. Mr. Tagliente discussed dividing the soil up between those interested. He further expressed the problem he sees being the fact that the County went out for bid on this and then they are just going to give it to Bestway. Mr. Buerkle inquired if the Committee would be satisfied if Bestway had a valid permit. Mr. Armstrong discussed being a member of the Subcommittee working on Flooding Issues. Committee members discussed problems with dumping soil in the area Bestway is planning on dumping it. Mr. Tagliente expressed that he has a problem with advertising it and now we are giving it away for free. Mr. Chambers asked how the Committee would like him to proceed. Committee members discussed advertising that that soil is free and also discussed going out for a bid in regards to this. Mr. Daniels explained that he is in agreement with Mr. Armstrong in regards to flooding but he also expressed that the County cannot state where they dump. Mr. Tagliente expressed that the County does have a say if this is going to be an additional cost to the County down the road. Committee members discussed the area behind Bestway and the dumping involved there. Committee members discussed how to proceed. Mr. Daniels made a motion to approve the Cortland County Highway Department authorizing Bestway to remove the soil and large rocks from the Cortland County Airport, T-Hangar Project; seconded by Mr. Steger. Mr. Dafoe, Mr. Daniels, Mr. Hartnett, Mr. Steger and Mr. Willcox Mr. Tagliente and Mr. Armstrong were opposed; motion approved

2. Update SPCC Plan at the Cortland County Landfill – Mr. Chambers explained that this is in regards to paying $3,000 from professional services account to update the departments spill prevention plan. He further explained that this issue was brought forward as a result of the Environmental Audit. Mr. Chambers explained that changes need to be completed within sixty days of the audit and added that this is within budget. He further discussed making these changes as noted from the audit will bring the County into compliance. Mr. Willcox inquired if this was for a plan. Mr. Chambers expressed that this was and further discussed the plan briefly. Mr. Chambers expressed that these changes that are need are the law. Mr. Tagliente expressed that he is in agreement with Mr. Chambers and that he should go ahead with this. The consensus of the members of the Highway Committee was to have the Highway Department proceed with updating the Spill Prevention Plan.

3. Lime Hollow Center for Environment and Culture, Glen Reisweber – Mr. Chambers introduced Mr. Glenn Reisweber from the Lime Hollow Center for Environment and Culture. Mr. Reisweber explained that Cortland County is one of two counties in New York State that do not have a State Park. He stated that Alleghany County is the other county. He explained that Lime Hollow has operated from the support of Cortland County residents and the County. He expressed a thank you to the Cortland County Highway Department for assistance they provided in the opening of the new building on McLean Road in May. Mr. Reisweber presented Mr. Chambers with a plaque that read as follows:

Lime Hollow Center for Environment & Culture

Presents this

Certificate of Appreciation

to the

Cortland County Highway Department

On the 14^th day of August, 2007

Thanks to your support, Lime Hollow will continue to

grow as a year round facility providing thousands

of people of all ages with the type of hands on

environmental education and public program experiences

that can last a life time. Future generations will

remember Lime Hollow as an organization that helped

preserve a natural place for them – a place to wander, wonder, play and learn.

Mr. Chambers thanked Mr. Reisweber and expressed that each time assistance is provided from the Highway Department it has been done with the approval and support from this Committee. He stated that any work and/or assistance provided by the Highway Department are done at the wishes of the Highway Committee. Committee members discussed the property utilized by the Lime Hollow Center for Environment & Culture; total of 375 acres – 100 acres are federal property. Mr. Armstrong expressed what an asset this facility is to the County. Mr. Ross inquired as to how much of the property is in Tompkins County. Mr. Reisweber explained that about 15 to 20 acres is in Tompkins County. Mr. Tagliente stated that the Lime Hollow Center for Environment and Culture is a great asset to this area.

4. Robbins Road Bridge, drainage and replacement structure needed – Mr. Chambers explained that the Town of Truxton Highway Superintendent contacted him and requested the County Highway Department to conduct a Hydraulic Study on this bridge. He added that the bridge has been “red flagged” by New York State after it was damaged in the 2006 flooding. Mr. Chambers discussed the current structure being a multi pipe structure and further explained the repairs that need to be done. Mr. Tagliente asked Mr. Armstrong for his input since he is the representative from that area. Mr. Armstrong stated that the bridge has been “red flagged” and recommended that the Highway Department proceed with the Engineering Study. The consensus of the members of the Highway Committee was to have the Highway Department proceed with completing the Hydraulic Study.

5. Delinquent Accounts: Cortland County Landfill – No discussion occurred in regards to Delinquent Accounts at the Cortland County Landfill.

Mr. Tagliente asked for a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a litigation matter. Mr. Hartnett made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a litigation matter; seconded by Mr. Dafoe. The Highway Committee went into Executive Session at 8:02 a.m.

The Highway Committee returned from Executive Session at 8:18 a.m. with nothing to report.

Mr. Mulvihill explained that he had his wedding reception at Dwyer Park over the weekend and expressed that Little York Park is a great asset to the County. He thanked the Highway Department for great job they do taking care of the park.

Mr. Hartnett made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Tagliente adjourned the meeting at 8:19 a.m.